Charcoal-Grilled & Salad Bar Keisuke @ Paya Lebar Square - A Free-flow Salad Bar Worth Going Back For

Charcoal-Grill & Salad Bar Keisuke at Paya Lebar Square embodies the concept of sumiyaki (charcoal-grill), in which food items are slow-grilled over hot charcoal. Uses only bincho-tan imported from Japan, such Japanese white charcoal not only burns cleanly with a high steady heat, it also has alkalised heat which neutralises the harmful acids that occur during cooking. Cooks four times faster than gas, they are known for producing food that are tender and succulent as any loss of moisture and flavour during cooking is being minimized.

The free-slow salad bar, with more than 30 types of Japanese side dishes and fresh vegetables is impressive. And I do want to come back simply because of this salad bar.

I love the pickled cabbage and celery, which serves as great appetizers while waiting for my grilled items to be served. Another of my favourite is the Chasoba salad, tossed with mushrooms and wakame.

You can choose from 6 types of salad dressing, and this Honey Miso Ginger dressing makes all greens devilish.

Atka Mackerel 2.8/5

Focusing on traditional fish dishes well liked by the Japanese, each set meal comes with miso soup and onsen egg. What I find a nice touch is the serving of Japanese rice cooked traditionally in a small iron pot, served to each diner. One of the specialities here is the Charcoal Grilled Dried Atka Mackerel ($14.90), a fish not commonly served elsewhere. The soft bones are not an issue at all, as I do enjoy taking my time to slowly pick off meat from the bones but in between bites there was slight bitterness, especially the burnt parts.

Miso Marinated Black Cod 3/5

The Charcoal Grilled Miso Marinated Black Cod ($21.90) was definitely more satisfying, especially the fatty part. Pairing the meat with the little items at the side also helps to enrich the texture of the meat, especially that cube of grilled cheese that is served in every set. However, it was not as moist, tender and flaky as I expected it to be. In fact, some parts were rather stiff.

Coffee Jelly 4/5

But I guess that can be forgiven when their Coffee Jelly tastes so good! This fellow diner was exclaiming how good it is as he drowned his coffee jelly with scoops of the cream sauce. Nope, he wasn't exaggerating at all. While most jelly are simply sugar and colouring, this bitter-sweet version with cream carries reminiscences of a Viennese coffee. With this, I don't really need a coffee to end my meal afterall.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Charcoal-Grilled & Salad Bar Keisuke
Paya Lebar Square
60 Paya Lebar Road
#B1-16
Singapore 409051
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Website
Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar (CC Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours: 
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Paya Lebar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to decision. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Pince & Pints @ Duxton - Welcomes Crabs Into The Family

Since its opening in 2014, when one mentions Pince & Pints at Duxton Road, you think of nothing but lobsters and lobster rolls. Now that it has expanded its menu to include crabs as well, will this crustacean steal the limelight away from its counterpart? Using only whole live Sri Lankan mud crabs, 5 new crab dishes are here to challenge for that throne.

Crispy Soy Chicken Wings 3.5/5

Other than the new crab dishes, the menu also introduces new starters, such as Crispy Soy Chicken Wings ($12 for 6pc), inspired by Korean-style fried chicken and coated with a blend of soy sauce, Korean chilli powder and garlic. This, I believe will be enough to warm up your fingers and jaws before the real thing gets started.

Whole Grilled Crab 4.2/5

Leading the pack is the classic Whole Grilled Crab ($55 for 500-600g approx), which is also my favourite out of the lot. Due to the uneven shape of the crab, the team has to dissect it just before grilling to retain its natural juices and brushed with a light coat of butter before send it for grilling. This would ensure a more even mix of sweetness and char. Among all other renditions, this allows me to taste the sweetness of the meat the most, and the creamy butter sauce that comes with it completes it like a slab of butter on a white toast with beautiful char marks.

Whole Steamed Crab in Egg White 3.5/5

At cze char stall, steamed crab is always preferred to preserve the delicate meat. Its Cantonese version of Whole Steamed Crab in Egg White ($55 for 500-600g approx) captivates with its Huadiao wine aroma and silky egg white that has been infused with the crab juices. Jasmine white rice is served along with it for you to wipe the dish clean.

Whole Chilli Crab 3/5

Of course, the evergreen Whole Chilli Crab ($58 for 500-600g approx) is available on the menu too. I like the level of spiciness and that it isn't overly sweet to suit the international palate. It lacks robustness though, with high dosage of salt to elevate its flavours.

Crabmeat Fried Rice 3.8/5

As a non-chinese restaurant, I think they did a great job with the Crabmeat Fried Rice ($18), and the bonus goes to the house made chilli oil. It wasn't greasy, and the grains were neatly separated and imbued with slight wok hei. The chilli oil has texture like that of Ding Tai Fung's chilli but with added sweetness and complexity. Thumbs up!

Nonya Chilli Lobster Roll 2.5/5

As for the latest Nonya Chilli Lobster Roll ($58), the Nonya Chilli was just too overwhelming, soaking through the buttery bun, weighing down delicate flavour of the lobster.

Other cooking styles for the whole live lobsters are available as well, such as in the form of Lobster Noodles and Lobster Mac & Cheese. To dethrone the King Lobster, that would probably take a while.

Words and photos by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


[CLOSED]
Pince & Pints
32-33 Duxton Road
Singapore 089496
Tel: +65 62257558
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Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Outram Park (EW Line, NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 5pm - 11pm
Sat: 12pm - 11pm
(Closed on Sun)

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to Orchid Hotel. Cross Tanjong Pagar Road and walk to Craig Road. Walk along Craig Road and turn right onto Duxton Road. Walk along Duxton Road to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk straight along New Bridge Road to Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Kreta Ayer Road and walk to the end. Cross the road and turn left onto Neil Road. From Neil Road walk to Duxton Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 20  minutes.  [Map]